Talking Michigan Politics

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss Gov. Jennifer Granholm's legacy, Michele Bachmann's visit to Grand Rapids, the Census release. Conversation starters this week focus on ways parents try to preserve Santa for kids and a tribute to Eloise Johnson, patron saint of music in Grand Rapids.

Why Democrats are praising Rick Snyder, Rep. Ehlers votes to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell

President Obama in the middle, Michigan's lame-duck Legislature and a Grand Rapids mayor's bid for a third term on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

Podcast crew also discusses surprises by Governor-elect Rick Snyder and lame-duck lawmakers.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics, Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder discuss President Carter's statements about Fox News, upcoming races for Grand Rapids mayor and the U.S. Senate, the unemployment benefits extension, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Betty Weaver being censured, the early battle for Michigan GOP chairman, more people supporting auto bailouts and the TSA's "Don't touch my junk" dilemma.

Nancy Pelosi's woes, tax talk in Lansing and Washington, Bloomberg-Scarborough for president, what gives a city soul and more on this week's Talking Michigan Politics with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder:

This week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast: Surveys provide surprising findings on Tea Partiers and trade agreements; a Christian roommates controversy in Grand Rapids, and Rick Snyder's first moves as governor-elect.

On this week's post-election Talking Michigan Politics podcast, demographics analyst Peter Bratt joins Grand Rapids Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder to talk about Tuesday's election results.

GVSU's Matt McLogan joins Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder for the final Talking Michigan Politics podcast before Tuesday's mid-term elections. Topics include: Clinton, Bernero event fails to draw The Rand Paul supporter head stomp Turnout China's role in political races

Christine O'Donnell sets us straight on the Constitution, more news on hidden campaign contributions, and whether Glenn Beck contributed to a gunman's rage on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast.

An interview with GOP candidate for governor, Rick Snyder; analysis of his debate with Democrat Virg Bernero; the tight race for Kent County's 29th Senate district are topics on this week's Talking Michigan Politics with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

Gay bashing at military funerals and free speech, a radical center/third party movement in 2012 and China as an issue in the 3rd Congressional race on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

How China makes its way into Michigan politics, gay bashing by a state official and a new national poll that finds Bill Clinton growing in popularity, on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast

Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about the Tea Party and Christine O'Donnell, Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero agreeing to a debate, the 3rd Congressional race and Don't Ask Don't Tell on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast.

On a special edition of Talking Michigan Politics, Grand Rapids Press Political Editor Jeff sits down with Brian Wesbury, chief economist for First Trust Advisors in Wheaton, Ill., frequent guest on CNBC and Fox News, and a contributor to the Wall Street Journal's editorial page. Wesbury keynoted the lunch program at the West Michigan Policy Forum in Grand Rapids on Thursday.

Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about Tea Party victories, Rick Snyder-Virg Bernero sharing town hall time and government worker health insurance paying for abortions on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast.

New numbers and a widening gap in the race for governor, a study showing Republican primary turnout surging while it declines for Democrats and the anniversary of President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon on this week's Talking Michigan Politics with Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder.

This week on the Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder ruminate on November races, Democratic control of the Michigan Supreme Court, growing misconceptions about the president and manufacturing's resurgence in Southern states.

On this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press editors Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder talk about Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver's stunning decision to resign; Rick Snyder's running mate pick and libertarian billionaire Koch brothers and their role in the Tea Party movement.

Tea partiers facing off in court, exploring a path to victory for Virg Bernero, and the mosque proposed two blocks from Ground Zero on this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast with Jeff Cranson and Ed Golder. Will the real Tea Party please stand up? Despite claims there is no organized Tea Party, per se, a group of people involved in "the movement" have enlisted the state's foremost elections law gunslinger to challenge the organization they say filed fake Tea Party candidates to dilute the GOP vote in November. How does Bernero close a 19-point gap by Nov. 2? A poll telegraphed on last week's podcast indeed became public Thursday and showed GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder with an early and commanding lead. Most pundits expect many of the independents who helped Snyder win the GOP nomination to stay with him in November. Talk also focuses on running mates and names being floated on both sides ahead of the conventions at the end of the month. An Islamic center two blocks from Ground Zero. An